Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Annisul Huq has warned of tough measures against anyone causing mass inconvenience. He also said he would take action against those who resisted an eviction drive in the capital’s Tejgaon truck terminal.
Huq issued the warning at a press conference held in a hotel barely half a kilometre from yesterday’s scene of trouble, where the mayor had been seemingly confined by workers opposing the eviction.
He managed to leave the scene escorted by a large contingent of RAB and police personnel.
The mayor, however, dismissed media reports about his confinement in the office of the Truck and Covered Van Drivers’ Union amidst clashes between police and agitating workers, saying, “Yesterday’s situation would make anyone imagine that the mayor had been kept confined.”
During the press meet held at the La Vinci Hotel in Karwan Bazar, Huq said, “This created some confusion. The media, too, said the mayor was in a room for two hours.”
“We had a large force that wanted to ‘clean up’ everything. But I repeatedly cautioned against beating anyone.” the mayor said.
“There was some misunderstanding. The workers had the wrong impression but I managed to talk to them. Then they clapped and cheered.”
The workers were earlier upset on seeing rundown trucks parked outside the terminal being bulldozed.
Police responded by doing a baton charge and lobbing teargas shells, followed by shots fired in the air.
The blank shots triggered a rumour about a worker’s death, leading to an aggravation of the situation and the mayor’s apparent confinement.
When asked about those opposing the eviction, Huq said: “They don’t have the courage to oppose the mayor. A few leaders, who have been illegally raising money in the area, created the trouble. They threw stones at the police.
“Later, I went alone. I defied them to throw stones at me, but no one did. There were some ‘imported’ (outsider) elements among them. Not everything can be revealed here. They are unlawful elements—forces of the narcotics trade.”
The businessman-turned-people’s-representative warned of tough measures against anyone occupying roads in future. “If anyone tries to do anything here they will be severely thrashed.”
A case had been lodged against the troublemakers, he said.
“We are trying to identify the attackers. We will get information about them. I have told the police commissioner that they must be arrested at any cost.”
The vandalism and arson attacks by infuriated workers left 15 city corporation vehicles, including one belonging to the mayor’s protocol, and several pieces of equipment damaged, and seven drivers injured.
But DMP Deputy Commissioner of Tejgaon Division Biplab Kumar Sarkar said no one had been arrested so far.
The invitation letter sent to the media by the North City Corporation regarding the eviction drive had said Home Minister Assaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan and Railways minister Mazibul Hoque would be present during the operation, but only Hoque showed up.
Kamal, who is the MP from Tejgaon, and transport workers’ leader Shajahan Khan were not seen during the drive.
Hoque, for his part, had left the scene, leaving the mayor in the office of the Truck and Covered Van Drivers’ Union.
When asked if any minister had a hand in instigating the violence, the mayor said he did not think so.
He said almost all the illegal structures at the terminal had been removed.
He added, however, that about eight houses belonging to influential encroachers remained on railway land. “I have requested the railway minister to take action against them.”
He said he had requested the police commissioner to ensure that no trucks were parked on roads.
While trying to pacify the irate workers on Sunday, the mayor had promised a new terminal, but did not specify its location in Monday’s press conference. “It will not be in Tejgaon. I will look for a place outside Dhaka.”
The mayor condemned the attacks on members of the media during Sunday’s clashes.
Truck and Covered Van Owners’ Association General Secretary Rushtam Ali, who also took part in the press conference, said the drive was not against the terminal but against the illegal structures in it.
Karwan Bazar Ward Councillor Md Shafiullah said there were no more trucks parked on the road opposite the facility. And there will be none in future, he promised.
Source: Bd news24
